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<br />001933 <br /> <br />The Yampa River basin is rich in coal, oil, shale, natural gas, and uranium. <br /> <br />Within the next 10 years the area between Steamboat springs and Craig is going <br /> <br />to be mined extensively. This means that the Yampa River is in great danger <br /> <br />of being polluted and dammed to a large degree. <br /> <br />For these reasons, classification of this river is essential. It is the <br /> <br />only way to insure that this beautiful stretch of river remains in its primitive <br /> <br />state. Classification would not hinder upstream development, but would insure <br /> <br />that development be compatible with the downstream wilderness environment. <br /> <br />Classification <br /> <br />The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act defines the terms wild, scenic,and <br /> <br />recreational as follows: <br /> <br />1. Wild river areas: Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of <br /> <br />impoundments and genera11y,inaccessib1e except by trail" with watersheds or <br /> <br />shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpOlluted. These represent vestiges <br /> <br />of primitive America. <br /> <br />2. Scenic river areas: Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free <br /> <br />of impoundments, with shorelines largely undeveloped, but accessible in places <br /> <br />by road. <br /> <br />3. Recreational river areas: Those rivers or sections of rivers that are <br /> <br />readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along <br /> <br />their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment of diversion in <br /> <br />the past. <br />The C.U. Wilderness Study Group feels that the Brown's Park section of the <br /> <br />Green River does not classify for wild status due to the presence of roads, <br /> <br />electric pumps, and power lines. For this section we recommend a scenic <br /> <br />deSignation. In addition, due to the presence of important waterfowl that are <br /> <br />sensitive to human distrubance during the nesting season, 'this section should <br /> <br />continue to be managed for the wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br /> <br />should retain control over recreational use of the river within Brown's Park. <br />